Antonio Lucio VIVALDI Born in 1678 in Republic of Venice Vivaldi was known as a famous virtuoso violinist. His best known work would be the ‘Four Seasons’ In 1693 when he was only 15 years old, he began studying to become a priest. Then in 1703, at the age of 25, Vivaldi was ordained a priest he was soon nicknamed il Prete Rosso, "The Red Priest", because of his red hair. Wolfgang Amadeus Ludwig van Franz Joseph Richard MOZART BEETHOVEN HAYDN WAGNER Born in 1732 Haydn was an Austrian composer. He is considered one of the most influential composers of the classical period often being called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet". He was also important in the development of the piano trio and in the evolution of sonata form. He spent most of his career as a court musician for the Hungarian aristocratic Esterházy family. He was isolated from other composers and was as he puts it ‘forced to become original’. Born in 1813 Wagner was first and foremost known for his operas. Unlike many other opera composers Wagner wrote both the music and the libretto. Wagner’s compositions are distinguished by his use of contrapuntal texture, rich chromaticism, harmonies and orchestration. Wagner pioneered advances in musical language which influenced the development of European classical music. Wagner even built his own opera house!
Born in Austria in 1756 Mozart composed over six hundred works, in several different styles including symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music. He is one of the most enduringly popular of classical composers. Mozart prospered as a composer whilst living in Vienna and even gained the title as the ‘finest keyboard player in Vienna’ Born in Bonn in 1770. Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. He is considered a crucial figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music. He studied in Vienna with Haydn quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. To this day he remains one of the most acclaimed and influential composers of all time.